Saturday, April 3, 2010

1961 Broadcasters

Don Wells1961 - 1972Don was a World War II veteran and used the GI Bill to go to broadcasting school. He was calling games for the White Sox and Chicago Cardinals when Gene Autry hired him in 1961 to be the voice of the new Los Angeles Angels, where he stayed until 1972. Don died October 3, 2002, in Switzerland after a long illness. He was 79.

Steve Bailey1961 - 1962Steve Bailey was longtime producer at KMPC when the station decided to use him as an announcer for the Angels first season. He followed that up with a second season but found that his strengths were in producing. He started at the station in 1951, and produced game broadcasts for the Pacific Coast League LA Angels prior to the new MLB franchise Angels, and continued producing games for the Rams and UCLA.Steve died November 24, 1995, of complications following treatment for lymphoma. He was 70.

Bob Kelley1961Bob Kelley was the Rams broadcaster beginning in 1937 with the Cleveland Rams, and in 1946 moved with the team to Los Angeles where he continued to be thier announcer. He called PCL Angels and Hollywood Stars games at Wrigley Field and became part of the inaugural announcing team for the Angels in 1961. Bob Kelly was regarded as one of the finest football announcers of all time. In 1964 Bob suffered a heart attack during the Pro Bowl at the Colleseum, and died September 9, 1966, at the age of 49.